19 Unwelcome What are you doing here , Ewan ? Athena was the first to break away from the clutches of shock that held the three adults captive .
You wont offer me a seat ? Ewan blandly gestured to the sofa closest to him .
Athena frowned in distaste , and turned to Zane .
Did you tell him my address ? Zane shook his head twice , amusing Ewan .
No , I didnt .
Im sure he had other means at his disposal .
You are right .
I did .
Ewan stated sharply .
I dropped by your house , Zane , to check on you , but your butler informed me that you had gone to the hospital .
I went to the hospital , after closing from work , and I was informed by an irritable secretary that you followed your new hire home .
Ewan chuckled humorlessly .
Finding her home wasnt hard .
It was enlisted in the system .
And something tells me , Zane , that you are not here to plead with her to consider my request .
What request is that ? Zanes mood was anything but happy that his best friend had interrupted his conversation with Athena .
Ewan hummed with widened eyes , pretending to be surprised at the turn of events .
Forgotten so soon ? Fiona mentioned that she called you earlier today .
Zane pretended to recall , and then shook his head .
I had no idea what she was talking about then .
Your fiancée is always too fast .
What was it that you wanted , Ewan ? Ewan didnt like being questioned by his best friend either .
Shouldnt the guy be on his side ? Of course Zane remembered Fionas request ! Yet , he was denying it .
What happened to their bro code ? Ewan breathed out gently , walked to a sofa , and sat on it .
He was so frustrated with everything , that he didnt bother giving Zane an answer , yet .
When he met Athenas gaze , hoping to see a glare , hoping to see at least an emotion in her eyes .
-any at all , he was met with indifference .
His gut twisted with … sadness .
If Athena displayed emotions like she had done during their marriage like flare up whenever she saw him , or banter stupidly with Fiona it would have eased the restlessness in his bones .
Yes .
He would have found ways to understand the feeling that rose in his chest whenever he saw her .
He would have tried to get to know her again .
As a friend .
But she didnt anymore .
She was like a stone now ; cold and very mysterious .
How would he know her afresh , if she showed no desire of being known by him ? Ewan was tired , but he knew he deserved it .
In some way , despite what he thought , he knew he deserved it .
19 Unwelcome Hadnt Sandro told him to investigate the accusations lately , on the day of Athenas banishment ? Hadnt Sandro advised him not to dismiss Athena like a whore ? Hadnt his assistant vouched for Athenas innocence and loyalty ? But he had been so consumed with anger first , with relief at being free from her fathers evil clutches after , that he had disregarded Sandros concerns .
He took a glance at Zane .
His best friend was looking at him pitifully .
Why was that ? Ewan clamped his right knee tightly .
Was Zane still his best friend , or Athenas ? What best friend was this fickle ? He inhaled deeply , but harshly this time around , and centered his mind on what he came here to do .
Time was running out fast .
Zane … He finally started .
I told you about my towns case , the disease spreading at an alarming rate .
I was hoping you would help plead my case with Athena , after our discussion last night .
Zane reclined into his sofa .
A bland smile perched on his lips , which grated on Ewans nerves .
Yes that .
But you see , I cant do that .
Athena is her own boss actually .
If she chooses not to treat your town , then thats not my concern .
I can only remind her of the doctors code , and look the other way .
My hospital is honored to have her , Ewan .
I cant lose her by badgering her with your request .
Athena smiled at Zane pleasantly to the envy of Ewan .
He had missed being the object of her smiles and fawnings .
Still … But Zane … Didnt you hear the man , Ewan ? He cant do anything to help you .

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Only I can help you .
Athena smirked .
And if you want my help , Ewan , just do as I told you earlier .
Give me twenty percent of your companys shares ; thats apart from my payments … Zane had the grace to be shocked on Ewans behalf .
Twenty percent ? He croaked out , sitting up on the sofa , before he could help himself .
Ewan nodded , and sneered at Athena , thinking that Zane would join him now , having seen Athenas cruelty .
But Athena didnt care for all that .
Yes .
Is there a problem , Zane ? There was definitely a problem .
Zane wanted to say , but he kept his opinion to himself , and reclined into his sofa again .
If he spoke on the matter , he might lose his chance of finding the truth from Athena tonight .
He might even lose her friendship , which he had painstakingly recovered .
He couldnt afford that .
19 onwelcome If he spoke on the matter , he might lose his chance of finding the truth from Athena tonight .
He might even lose her friendship , which he had painstakingly recovered .
He couldnt afford that .
Ewan can take care of himself .
Zane … Athena prodded , still holding her smirk .
Zane swallowed .
Not at all .
It is perfect .
Perfect ?! The cool facade Ewan had kept up with broke .
Zane , you think her offer is perfect and you are my best friend ? You are a joke ! Ewan got to his feet , restless with energy .
He began to pace tro and fro , his fists clenching and unclenching .
However , he was making Athena dizzy .
You should leave , Ewan .
You have overstayed your welcome .
You werent even welcomed in the first place .
Ewan stood at a spot , and stared at Athena and Zane .
He didnt know what he was feeling .
He couldnt understand it .
Betrayal ? Loss ? Rejection ? He inhaled and exhaled so that the pain clutching his heart would let go , but it held on .
Are you trying to take revenge on me , Athena ? Are you helping her , Zane ? The question was soft , so soft that Athenas ice began to thaw .
You want my company to go under a second time ? Is this your plan all along , Zane ? Ewans eyes had gone soft too , as if all the fight had left him .
Zanes fingers started a beat on his thighs .
He was feeling the heat .
He hated seeing his friend like this .
But then Ewan chuckled softly , and the somber atmosphere was suspended .
Well , you both are a good team then .
But you wont succeed .
I have worked too hard for my company to be destroyed .
He glared at Zane .
Dont bother coming around again .
To Athena .
I know we have a bad history .
I know we had a bad start off when you came back .
Im not even sure what I did wrong , but I feel you deserve an apology .
So , Im sorry .
But I wont sit back and let you walk over me .
From this time onward .
A cough interrupted his next speech , and broke the haze of confusion over the other two adults .
They all turned toward the intruder .
It was little Kathleen .